The "Opuede Community Dwellers" in Opuede Federated Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have distanced themselves and rejected the recent notice of suspension handed to the community Chairman, Barr. Mackson Ode, and the Vice Chairman, Engr. Patrick Torowei, by the Amadiwei, Chief Williams Tortor, over what they referred to as “unfounded and spurious allegations”.

In the statement signed on behalf of the Opuede Community Dwellers by High Chief Moni Ode, Elder Robert Faraju, and Elder Famous Eko, and released to PENGlobal on Monday, October 27, 2025, they claimed the decision is aimed at misleading the people and the general public.

"We, the Elders, Men, Women, Youths of Opuede Federated Community are out to distance ourselves from the decision of Chief William Totor in a publication purportedly made to suspend the Community Chairman and its Vice-Chairman, Barr. Mackson Ode and Engr. Patrick Torowei, respectively, over unfounded and spurious allegations concocted to mislead the good people of Opuede Federated Community and the general public," the statement reads.

The stakeholders who referred to themselves as "Opuede Community Dwellers" further alleged that the decision to suspend was too hasty as the "REAL" Opuede leaders were not given fair hearing, hence the public should disregard the purported announcement of suspension.

They said, "We thereby reject the malady and commando style in which the kangaroo committee emanating from the dictatorial and tyrannical approach of the meeting that was held. It should be on record that, the "REAL" Opuede leaders were not given the chance to properly air their opinions while those who managed to speak were stifled and gagged.

"Consequently, we call on ALL and SUNDRY to disregard the said publication of Suspension of the Chairman and his Vice until further and collective decisions based on due consultations is reached."

They further accused the Amadiwei of the community, Chief Williams Tortor who they alleged have housing structure and therefore no stake in the community he once ruled over in 14 years, as the brain behind the decision to suspend the Barr. Ode-led executive.

"In another light, it is imperative to note that, Chief William Tortor could be safely described as someone without a real stake in the community where he's supposed to be an Amadiwei. The last time he came into the community for any activity or meeting before the two times meeting within one week just to carry out his plan of suspending the community Chairman and its Vice-chairman was about two years ago during the inauguration of the Barr. Mackson Ode led Executive.

"The reason is quite simple. An Amadiwei who has no physical presence in the community where he is supposed to guide. He has neither room nor a family house in the community despite being the Community Chairman for about 14 years as well as an Amadiwei. It could therefore be safely said that, he has no physical stake in the community," they added.

In conclusion, they said, "We therefore unequivocally state that, we and other well meaning dwellers and indigenes of Opuede Federated Community, reject the obnoxious and malicious suspension of Our Community Chairman and its Vice-chairman."

It would be recalled that the Chairman of Opuede Federated Community, Barr. Ode, and the Vice Chairman, Mr. Eko, were handed suspension for a consecutive period of eight months begining from Friday, October 24, 2025, by the Amadiwei, Chief Tortor, after an emergency meeting, while an Investigative panel comprised of Pastor Joseph Fred Faraju as Chairman, Mike Itima as Vice Chairman, and Ayibakuro Orubu as Secretary, alongside three other members to look into issues raised.

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